Capturing content at the crack of dawn, Coral Gables Senior Highs’ Gables Live broadcasters avidly rise to the challenge ensuring timely news. Overseeing this production, Ms. Natalie Abrahantes returns to her Alma mater to revive the publication she started as a Cavalier while fostering a new generation of future news anchors and videographers. Expanding what used to be CavsTV into Gables Live, Ms. Abrahantes strives to promote the latest news and content at Gables through engaging daily broadcasts.
A young reporter-to-be, Ms. Abrahantes, initially gained a glimpse into the world of journalism through her involvement in highlights her sophomore year while extending her engagement at Gables. Stepping into the International Baccalaureate program during her junior year, she dropped highlights to keep Student Activities as her elective. Intending to continue pursuing news reporting, Ms. Abrahantes joined CavsConnect as an honorary member with the help of Ms. Suarez. Igniting a spark for multimedia, Ms. Abrahantes’ passion led her to create CavsTV side by side with Ms. Passwaters as social media marketing class her senior year.
Glistening in the eyes of Ms. Abrahantes, multimedia presented itself as a new opportunity to experiment with. As she dove deeper she gravitated towards it and a passion was born. Throughout her time in the class, Ms. Abrahantes developed a close bond with Ms. Passwaters which led her to continue with CavsConnect her senior year.
As Ms. Passwaters took the reigns of CavsTV, she saw Ms. Abrahantes as a perfect fit to lead her growing publication, recognizing her dedication within CavsConnects’ small media team. Leaping at the chance, Ms. Abrahantes accepted her new role as Editor-in-Chief by preparing throughout the entire summer and building up everything from scratch using CavsConnect as a framework. From lesson plans, brainstorming video ideas and constructing their brand, Ms. Abrahantes fine-tuned her video editing skills and worked on providing edits to others.
“I remember when she applied for CavsConnect I was very hesitant because she was our honorary member and she didn’t have space in her schedule, but I fell in love with her as a student. I knew [she would] do great things and be a great person and teacher. As a student I remember that she applied to be EIC of CavsConnect and I wanted a social media class. So when I went to Doral Academy and toured the campus, I needed an EIC for that social media class and that’s when I asked her if she wanted to be my EIC. I think that her experience with me, especially during that COVID-19 year because we were always together, impacted her decision in studying media because she fell in love with it,” Ms. Passwaters said.
Contributing towards filling the gap between social media marketing and video editing at Gables, Ms. Abrahantes handled anything and everything for CavsTV ranging from social media and graphics. When the COVID pandemic was ongoing, the focus was redirected to tutorial videos transforming CavsTV into the hub for dissemination of information.
Being at the head of the publication, Ms. Abrahantes notable projects include creating a website and the videos displayed for a reopening of school guide, breaking down everything for virtual and returning students and organizing a mini recruitment campaign. Ms. Abrahantes has gained extensive experience, achieving various All-Florida titles in Florida Scholastic Press Association competitions for Gables and leading an award-winning podcast known as “Viral” winning 3 Best of SNO’s.
Given the circumstances, Ms. Abrahantes made it a point to form a tight-knit family in the classroom. Nurturing that atmosphere during her time in CavsTV fueled her to take media and teaching to the next level combining elements of both into the perfect hybrid career.
“I feel lucky that I’m able to have such a welcoming and inspiring person as my advisor for Gables Live. Even though being part of a brand new class and learning new skills could be stressful at times, Ms. Abrahantes never gives up on us and makes sure we have both success and fun. I’ve always loved videography and broadcasting so by taking this class and having her as a teacher, she has made my experience better and more enjoyable,” junior Eliem Salazar said.
As she closed off the chapter of her time as a Cavalier, Ms. Abrahantes headed to the University of Miami to major in media management. Reshaping her outlook on journalism, she was able to apply the editing, social media and photography skills she had acquired from CavsTV. Ms. Abrahantes thrived in her strategic social media management class, impressing her professor and even taught a few lessons the next semester, truly immersing herself in educating.
“Honestly my students [inspire me to continue pursuing journalism] because I see them in the same way that I saw myself where I didn’t know what I wanted to do in high school. Then I’m seeing the same thing with these kids, they’re starting this class they don’t know how to edit and film and as we go on they get more and more passionate about it and I’m sure that most of them will eventually go on to pursue journalism so seeing their love for journalism grow makes mine continue to grow as well,” Ms. Abrahantes said.
Maintaining her involvement in Gables upon graduation, Ms. Abrahantes adopted the position of Marketing Director for Friends of Gables. Rebuilding the brand, she designed the logo and website and manages the social media to this day as a means of giving back to the school that gave so much to her.
Pushing her creativity further, Ms. Abrahantes also manages the social media platform for Unique Design Studios, granted the opportunity by Ms. Suarez. The photography company has allowed her to explore new aspects of videography through newborn, maternity and wedding sessions.
Before her return to Gables, Ms. Abrahantes attended FSPA while covering for Ms. Passwaters’ maternity leave. The stars aligned as she met Mr. Delgado, the CCNN supervisor, who allowed her to get in contact with him and gave her a tour of his studio. Serving as her mentor, she took notes of this established broadcast program to gain a sense of what to incorporate into Gables Live along with elements of CavsTV.
“I feel like when I was little I always wanted to be in front of the TV, so being a news anchor was something that I really enjoyed. When I met Ms. Abrahantes I showed my excitement for this publication and I knew that it was going to be something I would invest my time and energy in and I feel that Ms. Abrahantes knew that as well, so being picked was a lot of fun and I really cherish it,” sophomore Gabrielle Solomon said.
Getting the ball rolling for CavsTV, Ms. Abrahantes was able to lay the foundation for future EICs to modify and improve on while establishing a name for the publication on campus. Ms. Abrahantes looks forward to continue expanding her publication, invoking passionate students, and competing in FSPA, Student Television Network and Suncoast Emmies.
Beyond supervising the production of broadcast packages or balancing her newfound responsibilities as an Inquiry Skills teacher through strengthening grammar and writing skills, Ms. Abrahantes holds the same endeavor for all her students: leaving an impact on their lives, cultivating an authentic environment and leaving a mark at Gables. Sticking true to the belief that a publication starts at the top and the passion trickles down, Ms. Abrahantes has now come full circle returning to her journalistic roots.
